Deforestation in India: From a Forest, Water and Peoples Perspective. Presenter: Marimuthuram Mahendran

Transcription

1 Deforestation in India: From a Forest, Water and Peoples Perspective Presenter: Marimuthuram Mahendran

2 Introduction Two of 24 global biodiversity hotspots are in India Western Ghats and Eastern Himalayas Socio- economic, political and ecological consequences Western Ghats showed a loss of 25.6% in total forest cover (Jha et al, 2000). Decrease in open forest by 33.2% (Jha et al, 2000). Western and Eastern Himalayas constitute 30% forests in India. FSI reports steady increase in forest cover Laurence et al shows that this data is misleading (Laurence et al, 2010).

3 Forest culture and its erosion. Forests have nurtured India's mind and India's civilization Tagore Indian culture was cradled by Forests (Vedic era and times Buddha) Forests were central in civilizational evolution Aranya Samskriti Scientific research and cultural writings emerged from forests. Erosion colonial methods of management Teak, Sal and coniferous trees British Empire. Destruction of forests and the culture that conserved it. (Romila.T, 2001).

4 Conflicts over forests First Phase - met the needs of British Empire Second Phase Post colonial rapid industrialization Third Phase Social forestry and Waste land Development Programs Fourth Phase : - International Finance - Biomass conversion to petroleum products - Transnationalization of Forests

5 Conflicts over water Inter state conflicts State planned mining and timber extraction ( downstream) State planned agricultural production Hydro electric power projects ( ex. Kabini project) States plans benefit the economically powerful groups. Increases rich poor gap access to water resources.

6 Case Study Analyzing deforestation rates, spatial forest cover changes and identifying critical areas of forest cover changes in North-East India during Nikhil Lele. P.K.Joshi

7 (Nikhil & Joshi, 2009)

8 Questions What are the deforestation rates, spatial forest cover changes and critical areas of forest cover changes in North-East, India during ? What are the factors influencing forest cover changes in North-East India?

9 Approach Temporal forest cover datasets obtained from NRSA and FSI. Landsat MSS data in the time intervals and , 1:250,000 scale. This scale, the region was mapped in multiple tiles of 1 x1 acquired, scanned, geo-referenced and converted (digital). ERDAS Imagine 8.7, ArcGIS 8.3 was used to import into geo-spatial environment. Variables: - Open (40-10% canopy density) - Closed (>40% canopy density)

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12 Conclusion Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland and Tripura have dynamic areas of forest cover due to human interference. Reason: Conversion of forest to shifting cultivation or permanent agriculture, extensive mining. Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Manipur have lower dynamic areas and an overall gain in forest cover. Reason: Strict measures to protect reserve forests,allowing regrowth of forest in the lands (jhum). Arunachal Pradesh, primary forest cover remained unchanged. Reason: Complexity of the terrain and high altitudes

13 Photo: Marimuthuram.M

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20 References Puyravaud, J.-P., Davidar, P. & Laurance, W. F. Conserv. Lett. doi: /j x (2010). Jha,C.S., Dutt,C.B.S., Bawa,K.S (2000) Deforestation and land use changes in Western Ghats, India. CURRENT SCIENCE. 79 (2) Conservation International (2005). Biodiversity Hotspots. Himalaya. Accessed 20 January Nikhil,L & Joshi,P.K (2009) Analyzing deforestation rates, spatial forest cover changes and identifying critical areas of forest cover changes in North-East India during Environmental Monitoring and Assesment.156: David.F, Fikret.B, Bonnie. J. M., James.M. A (1990) The tragedy of the Commons: Twenty-two years later. Human Ecology. 18(1)1-19. Eckholm, E. (1979) Planning for the Future: Forestry for Human Needs. World watch Paper 26. Washington D.C., Worldwatch Institute. Jain, S. The Hindustan Times (New Delhi), 11 December N.M Nadkarni, R Tagore - Northwest Dharma News, csme.utah.edu. Accessed 4 March, Puyravaud, J.-P., Davidar, P. & Laurance, W. F. Conserv. Lett. doi: /j x (2010). Romila,T Perceiving the Forests: Early India. Studies in History (2001) 17:1 - Accessed 8 March, Krishnamurthy, B.V.K. Ecosystem of Southern Mysore. New Delhi, Environment Services Group, 1984.

21 Thank you Source: Google Images